Discharge bucket



June 21, 1966 e. E. SPRACKLING DISCHARGE BUCKET Filed June 26, 1964 FIG 3 George E. .Sprack/mg INVENTOR kNEYs 3,257,151 DISCHARGE BUCKET- George E. Sprackling, Lititz, Pa., assignor to Irl Daflin Associates, Incorporated, Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed June 26, 1964, Ser. No. 378,359 9 Claims. (Cl. 302-59) This invention relates generally to pneumatic conveying equipment, and is particularly concerned with an attachment that can be used with such equipment to render the same capable of discharging particulate or agglomerate mixtures under pressure and without splashing of the same at the discharge location. Although the invention can be used to handle various different types of mixtures, the same has proved particularly satisfactory when used to handle concrete. Accordingly, the invention is considered herein in connection with pressurized concrete delivery means, but it is to be understood that the same is applicablewith other mixtures of varying and different types.

When concrete, or other similar type mixtures, are to be used at locations remote from a storage and/ or mixing apparatus, it has been found desirable and convenient in many instances to convey the mixture under air pressure and through a conduit to the discharge point. Such pressurized delivery systems, if properly constructed and operated, afford many advantages, but at the same time, the discharge operation can present certain problems.

More specifically, certain types of mixtures, such as concrete particularly, tend to be conveyed in such a manner that the discharge is effectively pulsating in nature. The substantial pressures exerted on the mixtures when coupled with the operating techniques for the mixing and conveying systems, tend to cause the mixtures or concrete to leavethe conveying tube or conduit under such pres- United States Patent sure that there can easily be a dispersion or splashing.

Naturally, a dispersion and/or splashing of the conveyed mixture is undesirable.

While there have been prior suggestions as to equipment which could be coupled with the delivery means or conduit of a pressurized delivery system to eliminate the dispersion and splashing, there remains a need for a simple and eflicient device which can be used for the purpose, and which permits heavy mixtures, such as, concrete, to be easily handled without any splashing or dispersion at the discharge location. The primary object of the present invention is to satisfy such need.

More particularly, it is a primary object of the present. invention to provide an attachment for a pressurized delivery system (a) which attachment can be easily coupled with the conveying means or conduit of the delivery system; (b) which attachment is efliciently operable without any power-driven components; and (c) which attachment essentially operates to relieve the line pressure of mixtures conveyed by the system and permit the discharge of the mixtures under normal gravitational forces.

More generally, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an attachment which can be readily secured to the end of a discharge conduit associated with a concrete mixing truck which dispenses concrete therefrom through such conduit means under the influence of pressurized air, and wherein such attachment substantially reduces the discharge pressure of the concrete.

Further general, but equally significant objects of the present invention include the provision of a concrete discharge bucket attachment which: (a) can be easily attached and/or detached to one end of a pressurized dischargeconduit means connected at its other end to a concrete mixing vehicle; ,(b) can be easily and quickly operated and manipulated by normally skilled workmen so that no additional training is involved for the use of Patented June 21, 1966 such concrete discharge bucket; and (c) is durable and.

inexpensive.

Other, yet more specific objects of the present invention include: (a) the provision of a discharge bucket conforming with the preceding objects and wherein the mixture or concrete handled thereby is directed downwardly along an arcuate path as it enters the bucket, while the pressure thereon is simultaneously substantially relieved; (b) the provision of such a discharge bucket arrangement wherein the downwardly directed concrete leaves the arrangement under gravity and through a flexible outlet; (c) the provision of such a discharge bucket arrangement that includes a relief valve operative to substantially reduce the pressure on the delivered concrete or mixture as the same enters the flexible outlet, (d) the provision of such a discharge bucket arrangement wherein the concrete itself essentially serves as part of a lower and closed valve in the arrangement to cause a back pressure within the arrangement to operate the relief valve; and (e) the provision of such a discharge bucket arrangement wherein the relief valve .thereof takes the form of a 1top flexible flap means providing a normally closed va ve. The invention will be better understood and objects other than those specifically set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed-description. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings presenting a preferred and illustrative embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings: 1

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a discharge bucket constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional side view of the bucket shown in FIGURE 1, FIGURE 2 presenting the same with a batch of concrete therein about to be discharged;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 2 but with a portion thereof removed; and,

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary detailed plan view of the pressure relief valve associated with the discharge bucket thereof. 7

As shown in FIGURES l and 2, the discharge bucket provided hereby is generally designated by the reference numeral 2. This discharge bucket 2 comprises an upper discharge housing section 4 and a lower outlet housing or collector boot 6. As best shown in FIGURE 1, the discharge housing section 4 takes the form of a circular frame member having a peripheral side wall 8 and a top wall 10. The top or roof portion of the discharge housing 4 is provided with an opening 14 therein which is best shown in FIGURE 3. In the peripheral wall 8 of the discharge housing 4, there is provided an aperture 16 surrounded by an extension or conduit coupling 18 extending outwardly from the discharge housing (FIGURE 2).

As indicated in the introduction of the present specification, the discharge bucket 2 can be well used in conjunction with a pressurized discharge of a concrete mixture from a mixing apparatus or vehicle. Thus, a conduit means as generally designated by the reference numeral 20 (FIGURE 1) is attached to the concrete discharge bucket 2 by means of connecting the discharge conduit 20 to the projection or extension 18 on the discharge housing 4 of the bucket.

The peripheral wall 8 on the discharge housing 4 terminates at the lower end thereof in a tapered inwardly extending depending wall designated by the reference numeral 22. A shoulder 24 exists between the wall 8 and' the wall 22. Detachably or removably connected to the discharge housing 4 around the depending wall 22 is the collector boot or outlet housing section 6. Preferably, suchcollector boot 6 is composed of a resilient flexible material for reasons which will be better described below.

Such material can take the form of a reinforced rubber composition which maintains its shape and form, but yet affords sufficient resiliency and/ or flexibility as required for the discharge of the concrete mixture.

The collector boot is attached to the discharge housing 4 by means of forcing the upper end 30 thereof onto the peripheral depending wall 22 of the discharge housing so that the upper surface 32 of the collector boot engages the shoulder 24 on the discharge housing. Preferably, bolts 32a are used to attach the boot to the housing.

At the narrow or bottom end 34 of the collector boot, a plurality of relief slits 36 and 38, as shown in FIGURE 1, are incorporated. These slits extend from the bottom edge 40 upwardly toward the upper end of the boot. Such slits terminate below the intermediate area of the collector boot and preferably a plurality of such slits are disposed around the periphery thereof. The relief slits provide suflicient flexibility in the collector boot so that a collection of concrete therein may be discharged therefrom at an increased rate when the quantity of concrete increases to the extent that the force of pressure thereof downwardly through the collector boot opens the bottom by means of flexing the relief slits and thereby enlarging the opening 42 at the bottom of the collector boot.

Attached, to a portion of the peripheral wall 8 of the discharge housing and in the interior thereof is a deflector 1 member generally designated by the reference numeral 44. Such deflector comprises an arcuate plate 46 having depending members 48 and St on the side edges thereof. As best shown in FIGURE 2, the deflector 44 is secured to the peripheral wall 8 above the aperture 16. The defiector 44 extends inwardly from the aperture 16 toward the other side of housing section 4. The end portion 54 thereof terminates short of the peripheral wall 22 but is connected to such side by means of the support member 45.

The width of the deflector plate 46 is less than the diameter of the discharge outlet 42 in the collector boot 6 as well as less than the width of the opening 14 in the roof of the discharge housing. Such proportional dimensions can be best understood and seen from an examination of FIGURE 3. The deflector plate 46 being arcuate in its contour extends from above the aperture 16 in the peripheral wall 8 of the housing 4 toward the bottom end or outlet 58 therein but as previously described, the plate 46 terminates short of the peripheral wall 22, yet below the level of aperture 16.

.This disposition acts in cooperation with the top opening and valve of the discharge bucket, as now to be described. The opening 14 in the upper or roof portion of the housing section 4 takes the shape of a rectangle or square. The opening is surrounded by flange walls 62, 64, 66 and 68, which are joined to one another such that they provide a frame 60. Such frame supports a flexible relief valve 70' disposed over the opening 14.

This relief valve includes a flap 71 and a grate 74 having a plurality of apertures '76 therein. The opening 14 is, in effect, closed by the grate and flap normally, but will open to the atmosphere through the holes 76 in the event upward pressure is exerted thereon.

In order to understand the operation of the present invention, consider concrete being conveyed under substantial pressure through the conduit 20 to the discharge bucket. To dispense the concrete from the bucket, the deflector wall 44 projects or directs the concrete downwardly through the discharge housing 4 into the collector boot 6. If the pressure under which the concrete is discharged from the mixing apparatus is maintained in the discharge bucket, then the concrete would merely spurt out of the opening 42 in the collector boot under the high pressure initiated at the vehicle. relief valve '76 covering the grate 74 and apertures '76 therein is maintained in such a position that it easily assumes the position shown in FIGURE 2 wherein the pressure within the discharge bucket including the hous- Accordingly, the

ing 4 and collector boot 6 is allowed to decrease by means of the air leaving the bucket through the bores or aper tures 76. Thus, with each loading of concrete into the discharge bucket from the mixing apparatus, the burst of pressure or increased air within the bucket is allowed to escape through the relief valve 70.

When the concrete enters the collector boot 6, it is discharged therefrom at an even rate under an air pressure substantially less than the given air pressure under which it was delivered to the discharge housing. By means of this substantial decrease in the air pressure, it is possible to evenly apply the concrete mixture to desired areas without a splattering of the concrete over the operators and adjoining areas. When the concrete mixture begins to build up, a supply within the collector boot, the force exerted by the concrete itself downwardly toward the opening 42 in the boot 6, begins to slowly open the relief slits in the bottom portion of the boot and thereby enlarge the opening 42 for discharging the concrete therethrough under gravity. Still, with normal pressure and discharge operations, the slits can remain closed because the pressure within the housing and the Weight of the concrete itself Within the boot is insufficient to expand or enlarge the opening 42.

In effect, the relief valve '76 is a normally closed valve and the collector boot 6 is open at the lower end thereof. However, when an accumulation of concrete, or in fact any other mixture being handled, closes the opening in the collector boot 6, or at least tends to close the same, then there is a back pressure within the discharge bucket. This back pressure is relieved 'by opening the valve 70 so that only atmospheric pressure is necessarily exerted on the accumulation being discharged. The arcuate plate member 46 and its associated side walls 48 and 50 form a chute which tarsorbs the initial impact and some of the energy from the mixture being handled, and accordingly, such chute further tends to prevent splashing, or the like.

From the preceding description it should be apparent that the described operation of the overall discharge bucket provided hereby can be effectively utilized not only with concrete mixtures, but also with various other types of mixtures which are conveyed through pressurized pneumatic delivery apparatus. Thus, while the invention is particularly described with reference to a concrete delivery system, such use only constitutes a preferred application, and the discharge bucket can be employed in diverse applications.

After reading the foregoing detailed description, it should be apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of this specification have been successfully achieved.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. A discharge bucket for use with a pressurized material delivery apparatus, said bucket comprising a discharge housing, inlet in said housing through which passes material under a given air pressure, deflector means in said housing, said deflector means being disposed in cooperating relation with said inlet for directing said material downwardly through said housing, a flexible collection boot secured to said discharge housing and depending therefrom, relief valve means disposed on said housing for reducing the air pressure in said housing and said collection boot during delivery of said material thereto whereby said material is discharged from said collection boot under an air pressure substantially less than said given air pressure under which said material is delivered to said discharge housing.

2. The discharge bucket defined in claim 1 wherein said deflector means comprises an arcuate wall member having one end thereof disposed in overlying relation to said inlet and the other end thereof disposed outwardly and downwardly from said inlet.

3. The discharge bucket defined in claim 1 wherein said collection boot comprises a truncated housing having a delivery end and a discharge end thereon, said boot being secured to said discharge housing at the delivery end thereof'and having an opening at the discharge end thereof, and a plurality of slits in said boot at the discharge end thereof for automatically adjusting the diameter of said discharge opening.

4. The discharge bucket defined in claim 1, wherein said relief valve means comprises an opening in the top of said discharge housing, a frame disposed about said opening and being removably secured to said discharge housing, and a flexible ,valve member secured at one end thereof to said removable frame whereby said flexible valve member pivots about said one end thereof for opening and closing said opening thereby reducing the air pressure in said discharge housing and said collection boot.

5. A discharge bucket for use with a pressurized concrete delivery apparatus, said bucket comprising a discharge housing and a flexible collection boot secured thereto and depending therefrom, an inlet in said housing for passage of concrete therethrough under a given air pressure, deflector means in said housing, said deflector means comprising anarcuate wall member having one end thereof disposed in overlying relation to said inlet and the other end thereof disposed outwardly and downwardly from said inlet for directing said concrete downw ardly through said housing and into said collection boot, relief valve means disposed on the top of said housing, said relief valve means comprising an opening in said housing, a frame disposed about said opening and being removably secured to said discharge housing, a flexible valve member secured at one end thereof to said removable frame for pivotal movement about said one end thereof thereby opening and closing said opening in response to an increased pressure in said housing and said collection boot thereby reducing the air pressure in said discharge housing and said collection boot and discharging the concrete therefrom at an air pressure substantially less than said given air pressure.

6. In combination with a concrete mixing apparatus for delivering concrete under a given air pressure, a discharge bucket comprising a discharge housing, an inlet in said housing through which passes said concrete under said given air pressure, deflector means in said housing,

said deflector means disposed in cooperating relation with said inlet for directing said concrete downwardly through said housing, a flexible collect-ion boot secured to said discharge housing and depending therefrom, relief valve means disposed on said housing for reducing the air pressure in said housing and said collection boot during delivery of said concrete thereto whereby said concrete is discharged from said collection boot under an air pressure substantially less than said given air pressure.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said deflector means comprises an arcuate wall member having one end thereof disposed in overlying relation to said inlet and the other end thereof disposed outwardly and downwardly from said inlet.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said collection boot comprises a truncated housing having a delivery end and a discharge end thereon, said boot being secured to said discharge housing at the delivery end thereof and an opening at the discharge end thereof, and a plurality of longitudinally extending slits in said boot at the discharge end thereof for automatically adjusting the diameter of said discharge opening.

9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said relief valve means comprises an opening in the top of said discharge housing, a frame disposed about said opening and being removably secured to said discharge housing,

and a flexible valve member secured at one end thereof to said removable frame whereby said flexible valve member pivots about said one end thereof for opening and closing said opening in response to an increased pressure in said housing and said collection boot thereby reducing the said air pressure therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 362,041 4/ 1887 Sailor 302-59 418,834 l/l890 Allington et al -417 2,866,519 12/1958 Hazlett et a1. 55-218 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISCHARGE BUCKET FOR USE WITH A PRESSURIZED MATERIAL DELIVERY APPARATUS, SAID BUCKET COMPRISING A DISCHARGE HOUSING, AN INLET IN SAID HOUSING THROUGH WHICH PASSES MATERIAL UNDER A GIVEN AIR PRESSURE, DEFLECTOR MEANS IN SAID HOUSING, SAID DEFLECTOR MEANS BEING DISPOSED IN COOPERATING RELAION WITH SAID INLET FOR DIRECTING SAID MATERIAL DOWNWARDLY THROUGH SAID HOUSING, A FLEXIBLE COLLECTION BOOT SECURED TO SAID DISCHARGE HOUSING AND DEPENDING THEREFROM, RELIEF VALVE MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID HOUSING FOR REDUCING THE AIR PRESSURE IN SAID HOUSING AND SAID COLLECTION BOOT DURING DELIVERY OF SAID MATERIAL THERETO WHEREBY SAID MATERIAL IS DISCHARGED FROM SAID COL- 